Special Eurobarometer 452. Report. Media pluralism and democracy

Transcription

1 Media pluralism and democracy Fieldwork September-October 2016 Publication Survey requested by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers and co-ordinated by the Directorate-General for Communication This document does not represent the point of view of the European Commission. The interpretations and opinions contained in it are solely those of the authors. Wave EB86.1 TNS opinion & social

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3 Media pluralism and democracy Survey conducted by TNS opinion & social at the request of the European Commission, Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers Survey co-ordinated by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Communication (DG COMM Strategy, Corporate Communication Actions and Eurobarometer Unit)

4 Project number Project title October 2016 Media pluralism and democracy Linguistic version EN Catalogue number DS EN-N ISBN doi: / European Union,

5 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 2 KEY FINDINGS 4 I. EUROPEANS AND THEIR MEDIA 6 1 Variety of information in the media 6 2 Are the media independent? 14 a. Independence of the general media 14 b. Public service media independence 18 c. Media independence today compared with five years ago 21 3 Trust in the media 25 II. THE NATIONAL BODY THAT OVERSEES AUDIOVISUAL MEDIA 33 1 Awareness 33 2 Perceived independence of the body that oversees audiovisual media 36 III. ENCOUNTERS WITH HATE SPEECH AND THREATS ON SOCIAL MEDIA 39 1 Are Europeans following and directly participating in debates on social media? 39 2 Frequency of encounters with hate speech and threats on social media, and how this influences participation 45 CONCLUSION 50 ANNEXES Technical specifications Questionnaire Tables 1

6 INTRODUCTION Free media and a plurality of voices in society and in the media are indispensable preconditions of, and essential safeguards for a healthy democracy. Freedom of expression and media freedom and pluralism are enshrined in Article 11 of the Charter of Fundamental rights of the European Union. They are at the core of the basic democratic values on which the Union is founded 1. The importance of these basic tenets is further underlined by the EU Human Rights Guidelines on Freedom of Expression Online and Offline, adopted in In light of the importance of media plurality and freedom, the Directorate General for Justice and Consumers commissioned the following Eurobarometer survey to explore citizen s opinions about the diversity of views available in the media, and their perceptions of media independence. In particular, the survey covers the following areas: Views about the variety of opinions and views presented in the media; Perceptions of the independence of both the general and public service media; Trust in the information provided by the media; Awareness of the national media regulator, and opinions about its independence; Participation in debates on social media; Online encounters with hate speech and threats, and the influence this has on participation

7 This survey was carried out by TNS Political & Social network in the 28 Member States of the European Union between the 24 th of September and 3 rd of October Some 27,768 EU citizens from different social and demographic categories were interviewed face-to-face at home and in their native language on behalf of the Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG-JUST). The methodology used is that of Eurobarometer surveys as carried out by the Directorate-General for Communication ( Strategy, Corporate Communication Actions and Eurobarometer Unit) 3. A technical note concerning the interviews conducted by the member institutes of the TNS Opinion & Social network is annexed to this report. It also specifies the interview methods and the confidence intervals 4. Note: In this report, countries are referred to by their official abbreviation. The abbreviations used in this report correspond to: Belgium BE Lithuania LT Bulgaria BG Luxembourg LU Czech Republic CZ Hungary HU Denmark DK Malta MT Germany DE The Netherlands NL Estonia EE Austria AT Ireland IE Poland PL Greece EL Portugal PT Spain ES Romania RO France FR Slovenia SI Croatia HR Slovakia SK Italy IT Finland FI Republic of Cyprus CY * Sweden SE Latvia LV United Kingdom UK European Union weighted average for the 28 Member States EU28 * Cyprus as a whole is one of the 28 European Union Member States. However, the acquis communautaire has been suspended in the part of the country which is not controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus. For practical reasons, only the interviews carried out in the part of the country controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus are included in the CY category and in the EU28 average. We wish to thank the people throughout the European Union who have given their time to take part in this survey. Without their active participation, this study would not have been possible The results tables are included in the annex. It should be noted that the total of the percentages in the tables of this report may exceed 100% when a respondent has the possibility of giving several answers to the question. 3

8 KEY FINDINGS The majority think their national media provide a diversity of views, but most say it is not free from political or commercial pressures. Two thirds of respondents (66%) agree that their national media provide a diversity of views and opinions, and the majority in all but one Member State agree (Greece is the only exception). More than four in ten EU citizens (44%) say the level of diversity of views and opinions in the national media are the same as it was five years ago, 29% think there is more diversity, while 18% say there is less. Almost four in ten respondents (38%) agree their national media provide information free from political or commercial pressure the majority disagree (57%). There are only nine Member States where the majority agree. Just over a third of respondents agree their national public service media are free from political pressure (35%), but the majority (60%) disagree. Almost half (45%) think their national media are as free and independent as they were five years ago, while 18% say it is more free and independent, and 28% think it is less so. A small majority (53%) agree their national media provide trustworthy information, while 44% think it does not. In 19 Member States, the majority of respondents agree their national media provide trustworthy information. Radio is most likely to be considered reliable (66%), followed by television and newspapers (both 55%). Far fewer respondents consider social media to be reliable (32%). Radio is considered the most reliable media in 25 countries. Around one in five are aware of their national media regulator, and only a minority agree it is free and independent. Just over three in ten (31%) respondents say they are aware of the body that oversees audiovisual media in their country. Out of these, 21% give the correct name, while 10% give an incorrect answer. The majority, however, admit they are not aware of this body (65%). A minority of respondents in each Member State are able to name correctly the body that oversees audiovisual media in their country. Less than four in ten respondents (37%) think the body that oversees the audiovisual media in their country is free and independent from political, governmental or commercial pressures. Nearly half (46%) do not think the regulator is free and independent, while 17% do not know. 4

9 Respondents are more likely to follow than participate in debates online, and the experience of abuse, hate speech or threats is high More than half of EU citizens (53%) follow debates on social media, for example, by reading articles on the Internet or through online social networks or blogs. Just over one quarter (28%) take part in these debates, for example by posting comments on articles on the Internet, or through online social networks or blogs. Three-quarters of those who follow or participate in debates (often, sometimes or rarely) have heard, read, seen or themselves experienced cases of abuse, hate speech or threats directed at journalists/bloggers/people active on social media (75%). 14% say they have heard, read, seen or experienced this very often. 48% of all respondents who have heard, read, seen or experienced cases of hate speech or threats on social media say such cases make them hesitate to engage in such debates, while half of them (50%) say they do not. 5

10 I. EUROPEANS AND THEIR MEDIA The first part of this report explores the relationship Europeans have with their national media. Respondents opinions about the diversity of views presented in the media are discussed, as well as their perceptions of media independence. Finally, their level of trust in various media is considered. 1 Variety of information in the media - Two-thirds of respondents agree that their national media provide a diversity of views and opinions - The majority of respondents (66%) agree their national media provide a diversity of views and opinions 5. Just under one third (31%) say it does not, while 2% of respondents say they do not know. QC1.2 For each of the following statements, please tell me to what extentit corresponds or notto the situation of the (NATIONALITY) media: (NATIONALITY) media provide a diversity of views and opinions (% - EU) It depends (SPONTANEOUS) 1 Don't know 2 Total 'No' 31 Total 'Yes' 66 Total base (N=27,768) 5 QC1.2 For each of the following statements, please tell me to what extent it corresponds or not to the situation of the (NATIONALITY) media: (NATIONALITY) media provide a diversity of views and opinions 6

11 In 27 Member States, the majority of respondents agree their national media provide a diversity of views and opinions, with respondents in Finland (85%), the Netherlands (84%) and Denmark (82%) the most likely to agree. The exception is Greece, where 48% agree. Total base (N=27,768) 7

12 Greece is the only country where a majority of respondents say their national media do not provide a diversity of views and opinions (52%), although 41% in France and Spain think the same way. This compares to 14% of respondents in Finland and 15% in the Netherlands and Portugal. Total base (N=27,768) A review of the socio-demographic analysis shows: Respondents aged 55 or over are more likely to agree their national media provide a diversity of views and opinions, compared to those aged between 25 and 39 years (69% vs. 63%). Retired people are the most likely to agree their national media provide a diversity of views and opinions (70%), while unemployed people are the least likely to do so (62%). Overall, all sociodemographic categories agree that their national media provide a diversity of views and opinions. Respondents who think their national media provide trustworthy information are more likely to agree that their national media provide a diversity of views and opinions, compared to those who think their national media are not trustworthy (87% vs. 44%). Respondents who think their national public media are free from political pressure are more likely to agree that their national media provide a diversity of views and opinions, compared to those who do not think public media are free from political pressure (88% vs. 55%). 8

13 Total base (N=27,768) 9

14 - Almost three in four respondents say national media are providing the same or more diversity of views and opinions, compared to five years ago - The majority of respondents think their national media provide a diversity of views and opinions, and more than four in ten (44%) say the level of diversity is the same as it was five years ago 6. Almost three in ten respondents (29%) think their national media are providing more diversity of views and opinions now, while 18% say they are providing less diversity. No more than one in twenty says they do not know (5%), or that it depends (4%). QC3 Do you think that, in general, compared with five years ago, (NATIONALITY) media (printed, audio-visual, online etc.) are now providing: (% - EU) It depends (SPONTANEOUS) 4 Don't know 5 More diversity of views and opinions 29 Less diversity of views and opinions 18 Total base (N=27,768) The same diversity of views and opinions 44 In 22 Member States, respondents are most likely to say national media provide the same diversity of views and opinions compared to five years ago, although the Czech Republic, Croatia (both 56%), Slovakia (54%), Luxembourg and Romania (50%) are the only countries where at least half think this way. Respondents in Cyprus (32%), the Netherlands (35%) and Estonia (36%) are the least likely to say the level of diversity is the same. Respondents in Malta, Cyprus (both 47%) and the Netherlands (44%) are the most likely to say their national media are providing more diversity compared to five years ago. Overall, there are six countries where respondents are most likely to give this answer: Cyprus, Malta, the Netherlands, Ireland (42%), Sweden and Estonia (39%). Respondents in Greece (17%), the Czech Republic (19%) and Germany (21%) are the least likely to say there is more diversity now. Respondents in Greece (28%), France (25%) and Hungary (23%) are the most likely to say their national media are providing less diversity of views and opinions, compared to five years ago. In contrast, respondents in Portugal (4%), Luxembourg (8%), Romania and Malta (both 9%) are the least likely to say this. 6 QC3 Do you think that, in general, compared with five years ago, NATIONALITY) media (printed, audiovisual, online etc.) are now providing: More diversity of views and opinions; the same diversity of views and opinions; less diversity of views and opinions; it depends (SPONTANEOUS) 10

15 QC3 Do you think that, in general, compared with five years ago, (NATIONALITY) media (printed, audio-visual, online etc.) are now providing: (%) More diversity of views and opinions The same diversity of views and opinions Less diversity of views and opinions It depends (SPONTANEOUS) Don't know EU BE BG CZ DK DE EE IE EL ES FR HR IT CY LV LT LU HU MT NL AT PL PT RO SI SK FI SE UK Highest percentage per country Highest percentage per item Lowest percentage per country Lowest percentage per item Total base (N=27,768) 11

16 A review of the socio-demographic analysis reveals the following: Respondents aged are the most likely to consider their national media are providing more diversity of views and opinions, compared to five years ago, particularly compared to the oldest respondents (34% vs 27% of the 55+). The youngest respondents are also the least likely to say the level of diversity is the same (40% vs 44%-45%). Students (36%) are the most to say their national media are providing more diversity of views and opinions, especially compared to manual workers (27%). Managers are the most likely to consider that their national media are now providing less diversity of views and opinions (23%), while students are the least likely to do so (15%). Self-employed people and manual workers are the most likely to say their national media are providing the same diversity of views and opinions (46%). Respondents who think their national media provide trustworthy information are more likely to say their national media are providing the same (49% vs. 39% who think national media are not trustworthy) or more diversity of views and opinions (33% vs. 24%). Respondents who think their national media are not trustworthy (28%) are more likely to say their national media are providing less diversity of views and opinions (vs. 11% of those who think their national media are trustworthy). Respondents who consider their national public media free from political pressure are more likely to say they are providing the same (51% vs. 41% of those who think media are not free from political pressure) or more diversity of views and opinions (32% vs. 27%). Those who say their national media are not free from political pressure are more likely to say media are now providing less diversity of views and opinions, compared to those who think their national public media are free from political pressure (24% vs 11%). 12

17 Total base (N=27,768) 13

18 2 Are the media independent? a. Independence of the general media - A minority of respondents say their national media provide information free from political or commercial pressure - Almost four in ten respondents (38%) agree their national media provide information free from political or commercial pressure. However, the majority (57%) do not agree. Less than one in twenty respondents (4%) says they do not know. QC1.3 For each of the following statements, please tell me to what extentit corresponds or notto the situation of the (NATIONALITY) media: (NATIONALITY) media provide information free from political or commercial pressure (% - EU) It depends (SPONTANEOUS) 1 Don't know 4 Total 'Yes' 38 Total 'No' 57 Total base (N=27,768) 14

19 In nine Member States, majorities agree their national media provide information free from political or commercial pressure: Finland (78%), the Netherlands, Denmark (both 61%), Austria (54%), Germany (53%), Sweden (50%), Portugal (47% vs. 45%), Estonia (47% vs. 45%) and Ireland (47% vs. 46%). At the other end of the scale, respondents in Greece (12%), Spain (24%) and Cyprus (25%) are the least likely to agree. Total base (N=27,768) 15

20 There are 19 Member States where the majority say their national media do not provide information free from political or commercial pressure. This view is most widely held amongst respondents in Greece (87%), Spain (71%) and France (69%). At the other end of the scale, respondents in Finland (21%), Denmark (33%) and the Netherlands (35%) are the least likely to hold this view. Total base (N=27,768) 16

21 The socio-demographic analysis shows students are the most likely to agree their national media provide information free from political or commercial pressure, particularly compared to selfemployed people (43% vs. 33%). In addition, respondents who consider their national media provide trustworthy information are more likely to say national media provide information free from political or commercial pressure, compared to those who think their national media are not trustworthy (60% vs. 15%). 17

22 b. Public service media independence - A minority think their national public service media are free from political pressure - Just over a third of respondents agree their national public service media are free from political pressure (35%), but the majority (60%) disagree 7. Less than one in twenty respondents (4%) say they do not know. QC1.4 For each of the following statements, please tell me to what extentit corresponds or notto the situation of the (NATIONALITY) media: (NATIONALITY) public service media are free from political pressure (% - EU) It depends (SPONTANEOUS) 1 Don't know 4 Total 'Yes' 35 Total 'No' 60 Total base (N=27,768) 7 QC1.4 For each of the following statements, please tell me to what extent it corresponds or not to the situation of the (NATIONALITY) media: (NATIONALITY) public service media are free from political pressure 18

23 There are seven Member States where a majority of all respondents think their national public service media are free from political pressure: Finland (65%), Sweden, the Netherlands (both 55%), Denmark (54%), Germany, Slovakia (both 50%) and Portugal (47% vs. 44%). Respondents in Greece (9%), France (16%) and Spain (20%) are the least likely to agree. Total base (N=27,768) Opinions about national and public service media are similar in a number of countries. For example, respondents in Finland, Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands are amongst the most likely to consider both forms of media free and independent, while those in Greece France, Spain and Cyprus are the least likely to do so. 19

24 The socio-demographic analysis illustrates the following: Students (39%) are more likely to agree that their national public service media are free from political pressure, compared to house persons (31%). Respondents who think their national media provide trustworthy information are more likely to agree that their national public service media are free from political pressure, compared to those who think their media are not trustworthy (55% vs. 14%). 20

25 c. Media independence today compared with five years ago - The majority of respondents think their national media are at least as free and independent as they were five years ago - Overall, 63% of respondents think their national media are at least as free and independent as they were five years ago: 18% say media are more free and independent, and 45% say they are equally free and independent. Over one quarter (28%) think national media are less free and independent. Less than one in ten respondents think it depends (3%), or say they do not know (6%). QC2 Do you think that, in general, compared with five years ago, (NATIONALITY) media (printed, audio-visual, online etc.) are now: (% - EU) It depends (SPONTANEOUS) 3 Don't know 6 More free and independent 18 Less free and independent 28 Total base (N=27,768) Equally free and independent 45 In 27 Member States, respondents are most likely to think their national media are equally free and independent as they were five years ago, although there are only nine countries where at least half think this way. Those in Finland (59%), Croatia (56%) and Slovakia (53%) are the most likely to think the level of media independence is the same as five years ago, while those in Malta (30%), Cyprus (38%), Slovenia and Poland (both 39%) are the least likely to do so. Malta (48%) is the only country where respondents are most likely to think their national media are now more free and independent than they were five years ago, although this view is also held by at least one third of those in Portugal (39%) and Ireland (35%). Respondents in Germany (9%), Greece and Hungary (both 12%) are the least likely to give this answer. Respondents in France (38%), Greece and Hungary (both 37%) are the most likely to say their national media are less free and independent, while those in Portugal (6%), Luxembourg (14%) and Ireland (16%) are the least likely to say so. 21

26 QC2 Do you think that, in general, compared with five years ago, (NATIONALITY) media (printed, audio-visual, online etc.) are now: (%) More free and independent Equally free and independent Less free and independent It depends (SPONTANEOUS) Don't know EU BE BG CZ DK DE EE IE EL ES FR HR IT CY LV LT LU HU MT NL AT PL PT RO SI SK FI SE UK Highest percentage per country Highest percentage per item Lowest percentage per country Lowest percentage per item Total base (N=27,768) 22

27 The socio-demographic analysis illustrates the following: The youngest respondents are the most likely to think their national media are more free and independent than they were five years ago (22%). Respondents who left school at the age of 20 or later are the most likely to think their national media are equally free and independent (48%). Self-employed people are the most likely to consider their national media less free and independent, particularly compared to students (31% vs 22%). Students are the most likely to think their national media are now more free and independent, particularly compared to managers (22% vs 15%). Respondents who think their national media provide trustworthy information are more likely than those who do not agree to think their national media are equally free and independent (54% vs. 36%) or more free and independent (21% vs. 14%). Those who do not think their national media provide trustworthy information are more likely to consider their national media less free and independent, compared to those who think the information provided is trustworthy (41% vs 17%). Respondents who consider their national public media to be free from political pressure are more likely than those who do not to consider that their national media are equally free and independent (57% vs. 39%) or more free and independent (22% vs. 15%). Those who do not consider their national public media free from political pressure (37%) are more likely to find their national media less free and independent. The same pattern applies for those who do and do not think the national media provide information free from pressure. 23

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29 3 Trust in the media - A slight majority agree their national media provide trustworthy information - Most of respondents (53%) agree their national media provide trustworthy information, while 44% think it does not 8. Only 2% of respondents say they do not know. QC1.1 For each of the following statements, please tell me to what extentit corresponds or notto the situation of the (NATIONALITY) media: (NATIONALITY) media provide trustworthy information (% - EU) It depends (SPONTANEOUS) 1 Don't know 2 Total 'No' 44 Total 'Yes' 53 Total base (N=27,768) 8 QC1.1 For each of the following statements, please tell me to what extent it corresponds or not to the situation of the (NATIONALITY) media: (NATIONALITY) media provide trustworthy information 25

30 In 19 Member States, the majority of respondents agree their national media provide trustworthy information. Nearly nine in ten in Finland (88%) think this way, as do more than three quarters in Sweden and Denmark (both 77%). In contrast, respondents in Greece (26%), France (34%) and Spain (38%) are the least likely to agree. Total base (N=27,768) 26

31 In nine Member States, the majority of respondents think their national media do not provide trustworthy information, with those in Greece (73%), France (63%) and Spain (59%) the most likely to hold this view. In contrast, 12% in Finland and 21% in Denmark and Sweden think the same way. Total base (N=27,768) In many countries where a high proportion of respondents think their national media are free from political and commercial pressures, there are also high proportions of respondents who think the media are trustworthy - for example Finland, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands. The reverse is also true. In France, Greece, and Spain, for example, respondents are much less likely to think their national media are free from political and commercial pressures, and they are also much less likely to consider the national media trustworthy. The socio-demographic data show that: Respondents aged are the most likely to say that their national media do not provide trustworthy information, particularly compared to those aged 55+ (47% vs. 42%). The longer respondents remained in education, the more likely they are to find their national media trustworthy. For example, those with the highest education levels (who left school at the age of 20 or later) are more likely to agree that their national media provide trustworthy information, compared to those who finished their education at or before the age of 15 (56% vs. 48%). Students (58%) are the most likely to agree their national media provide trustworthy information, while unemployed persons are the least likely to do so (46%). Respondents who consider their national public media free from political pressure are more likely to agree national media provide trustworthy information, compared to those who think national public media are not free from political pressure (82% vs. 36%). 27

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33 - Radio is considered the most reliable form of national media - Respondents were asked about the reliability of various forms of national media 9. Radio is most likely to be considered reliable (66%), followed by television and newspapers (both 55%). Far fewer respondents consider social media to be reliable (32%). Total base (N=27,768) The country level results for each media type will be considered in turn below, but an overview shows radio is considered the most reliable media in 25 countries, and television in two countries. In Croatia, both radio and television are equally considered the most reliable media. 9 QC4 For each of the following (NATIONALITY) media, please tell me if you think it is reliable or not: 4.1 Television; 4.2 Radio; 4.3 newspapers (print or online); 4.4 social media (online social networks, blogs, video hosting websites, etc.). 29

34 In 22 Member States, the majority of respondents think national television is reliable. Those in Finland (90%), Denmark (89%) and Sweden (82%) are the most likely to say this, compared to one in six respondents in Greece (16%), 31% in Spain and 41% in France. There are six Member States where the majority consider national television unreliable, with Greece (83%), Spain (65%) and France (57%) being the countries where this view is most widely spread. Total base (N=27,768) In all but two Member States, the majority of respondents think radio is reliable, with respondents in Finland (93%), Denmark (91%) and Sweden (88%) the most likely to say this. The exceptions are Greece (40%) and Croatia (48%) with Greece the only country where over half of respondents think radio is not reliable (56%). Total base (N=27,768) 30

35 In 21 countries, the majority of respondents consider newspapers (printed and online) to be reliable. More than eight in ten respondents in Finland (88%), Denmark (85%) and the Netherlands (83%) think this way, compared to one third in Greece (33%), 39% in Cyprus and 40% in Croatia. The majority of respondents in Greece (59%), Croatia (56%) and Hungary (52%) think newspapers are unreliable. Total base (N=27,768) In six Member States the majority of respondents say social media are reliable. Poland (53%) is the country where this view is shared by the largest majority, followed by less than half in Romania (46%) and Slovenia (43%). Those in Sweden (14%), France (19%), Finland and the Netherlands (both 22%) are the least likely to say social media are reliable. In 22 Member States the majority say social media are not reliable: in particular, large majorities of respondents in Sweden (80%), the Netherlands (73%) and Finland (68%) think this way. Total base (N=27,768) 31

36 The socio-demographic analysis highlights the following: Respondents aged 55 or over are the most likely to think that television is reliable (58%), while those aged are the least likely to do so (52%). The youngest respondents are the most likely to say national newspapers are reliable (59%). The youngest respondents are also the most likely to consider social media reliable, particularly compared to those aged 55+ (40% vs. 23%). Retired people (59%) are more likely than self-employed people and house persons (both 51%) to think that television is reliable. Managers are more likely to think radio is reliable, compared to house persons and unemployed people (71% vs 60%). Managers are also the most likely to say newspapers are reliable (63%), while other white collars and students are the most likely to say social media are reliable (both 38%). Respondents with the highest education levels are more likely than those who finished their education at or before the age of 15 to consider radio (69% vs. 60%) or newspapers (61% vs. 48%) to be reliable. Those who finished their full-time education aged 16 to 19 are the most likely to mention social media (33%), particularly compared with those who finished their education at or before the age of 15 (24%). Total base (N=27,768) 32

37 II. THE NATIONAL BODY THAT OVERSEES AUDIOVISUAL MEDIA This section of the report focuses on the national body that oversees audiovisual media. Respondent s awareness of this body is considered, as well as their perceptions of its independence. 1 Awareness Respondents were asked if they were aware of the body that oversees audiovisual media in their country 10. Those who said they were aware were then asked for the name of the body. - Just over one in five respondents spontaneously give the correct name of the body that oversees audiovisual media in their country - Overall, just over three in ten (31%) respondents say they are aware of the body that oversees audiovisual media in their country. Around one EU citizen in five (21%) give the correct name of this body, with a further 10% giving an incorrect answer. The majority, however, say they are not aware of the body that oversees audiovisual media in their country (65%). In total, close to eight in ten respondents either do not know, or give an incorrect answer (79%). QC5 Are you aware of the body that oversees audio-visual media in your country? (% - EU) Don't know 4 Yes, correct answer 21 Yes, incorrect answer 10 No 65 Total base (N=27,768) 10 As in Germany each region has a separate body overseeing audiovisual media, in this country respondents were asked about this body in their region. In Belgium there is a different body that oversees audiovisual media in each linguistic community. If respondents in this country mentioned either of these bodies, it was treated as a correct answer. 33

38 The map illustrates that respondents in Eastern Member States are generally more likely to be able to name the body overseeing audiovisual media in their country. In all Member States, less than half of respondents are able to name correctly the body that oversees audiovisual media in their country. However, important proportions give the correct answer in Poland (45%), Bulgaria and Greece (both 41%). At the other end of the scale just 2% in Spain, 5% in Sweden and 6% in Luxembourg can name the body responsible for audiovisual media in their country. Total base (N=27,768) According to the socio-demographic results: Men are more likely to give the correct name of the body overseeing audiovisual media in their country (25% vs 18% of women). Respondents aged are the most likely to give the correct answer (24%-25%), particularly compared to the youngest (17%) or oldest (19%) respondents. The longer respondents remained in education, the more likely they are to give the correct answer: 31% with the highest education levels do so, compared to 9% of those with the lowest levels. Managers (37%) are the most likely to give the correct answer, and house persons are the least likely to do so (10%). 34

39 Total base (N=27,768) 35

40 2 Perceived independence of the body that oversees audiovisual media - Only a minority of respondents agree the national media regulator is free and independent from political, governmental or commercial pressures - Less than four in ten respondents (37%) think the body that oversees the audiovisual media in their country is free and independent from political, governmental or commercial pressures 11. Nearly half of all respondents (46%) do not think the regulator is free and independent, while almost one in five respondents (17%) say they do not know 12. QC6 Do you think that [NAME OF AUDIO-VISUAL NATIONAL MEDIA REGULATOR] is freeand independent from political, governmental or commercial pressures? (% - EU) Don't know 17 Total 'Yes' 37 Total 'No' 46 Total base (N=27,768) 11 QC6 Do you think that [NAME OF AUDIOVISUALAUDIOVISUAL NATIONAL MEDIA REGULATOR] is free and independent from political, governmental or commercial pressures? 12 As in Germany each region has a separate body overseeing audiovisual media, in this country respondents were asked about this body in their region. In Belgium there is a different body that oversees audiovisual media in each linguistic community. Respondents were asked about the body operating in their linguistic community. 36

41 There are eleven Member States where the majority of respondents agree the body that oversees the audiovisual media in their country is free and independent from political, governmental or commercial pressures. This view prevails mostly in Finland (76%), the Netherlands (67%), Denmark (56%), Sweden (55%) and Austria (51%). At the other end of the scale, respondents in Spain (14%), Greece (19%) and Latvia (24%) are the least likely to think the regulator is free and independent. Overall, the majority of respondents in seventeen Member States say the body overseeing audiovisual media in their country is not free and independent. In four Member States Estonia (37%), Luxembourg (27%), Bulgaria (27%) and Spain (25%), at least one in four respondents did not know if the body that oversees the audiovisual media is free and independent from political, governmental or commercial pressures. Total base (N=27,768) The socio-demographic analysis illustrates the following: The longer respondents remained in education, the more likely they are to say media regulator is free and independent from political, governmental or commercial pressures: 43% with the highest education levels do so, compared to 27% of those with the lowest levels. Managers are more likely than house persons to agree that the regulator is free and independent from political, governmental or commercial pressures (48% vs. 26%). Respondents who are aware of their national audiovisual regulator are more likely to agree it is free and independent, compared to those who are not aware (51% vs. 34%). 37

42 Total base (N=27,768) 38

43 III. ENCOUNTERS WITH HATE SPEECH AND THREATS ON SOCIAL MEDIA This final section of the report looks at the use of social media for debating different topics, and any experience participants have had with hate speech and threats on social media as part of these debates. The impact of these experiences on willingness to participate in debates is also discussed. 1 Are Europeans following and directly participating in debates on social media? - Just over half of all respondents follow debates on social media - A majority of respondents (53%) follow debates on social media, for example, by reading articles on the Internet or through online social networks or blogs 13. Less than one in ten respondents (9%) do this very often, while just over a quarter (26%) sometimes follow debates on social media and 18% rarely follow them. More than one third of respondents (37%) never follow debates on social media, while almost one in ten respondents (9%) spontaneously say they do not use the Internet. Total base (N=27,768) 13 QC7 Do you follow debates on social media, for example by reading articles on the Internet or through online social networks or blogs? 39

44 In 26 Member States, the majority of respondents follow debates on social media (very often, sometimes o rarely), with those in Denmark (77%), Sweden (76%) and Finland (75%) the most likely to do so. Respondents in Romania (39% vs. 42% Never ) and Spain (41% vs. 49%) the two only countries where only a minority follow debates on social media, but also in Bulgaria and Portugal (both 41%) are the least likely to follow debates on social media, but even so these proportions are still relatively high. Respondents in Sweden (23%), Finland (22%) and Denmark (21%) are the most likely to say they follow debates on social media very often. Overall, however, respondents in most countries are generally most likely to sometimes follow these debates. Total base (N=27,768) 40

45 The socio-demographic analysis highlights the following: Men are more likely than women to follow debates on social media (58% vs. 49%). The older the respondents, the less likely they are to follow debates on social media: 73% of the youngest respondents do so, compared to 35% of those aged 55+. The youngest respondents are also the most likely to follow these debates very often (13%). The longer respondents remained in education, the more likely they are to follow debates on social media: 64% with the highest education levels do so, compared to 25% of those who finished education before the age of 15. Those with the highest levels are the most likely to say they follow these debates very often (13%). Students are the most likely to say that they follow debates on social media (77%), and retired people the least likely to say so (31%). Students are also the most likely to say they do this very often (16%). Total base (N=27,768) 41

46 - Just over one quarter of respondents take part in these debates - All respondents were asked if they took part in these debates, for example by posting comments on articles on the Internet, or through online social networks or blogs 14. Only a minority (28%) say they do. Less than one in twenty respondents (2%) do it very often, 12% sometimes take part in those debates while 14% do it rarely. The majority, however never take part in these debates (61%), while a tenth of respondents (10%) spontaneously say that they do not use the Internet. Total base (N=27,768) 14 QC8 Do you also take part in those debates, for example by posting comments on articles on the Internet, or through online social networks or blogs? 42

47 Austria is the only Member State where the majority of respondents take part in those debates by posting comments on articles on the Internet, or through online social networks or blogs (52%), followed by 45% in Finland and 39% in Sweden. At the other end of the scale, 19% of respondents in Estonia, Malta, Spain and France take part in such debates. Only a very small minority of respondents in any Member State say they take part in these debates very often, with those in Austria the most likely to say so (5%). In all countries except Austria, the majority of respondents say they do not take part in such debates. Total base (N=27,768) 43

48 A review of the socio-demographic analysis shows: Men are more likely than women to take part in those debates (32% vs. 25%). The older the respondents, the less likely they are to take part in debates on social media: 44% of the youngest respondents do so, compared to 15% of those aged 55+. The longer respondents remained in education, the more likely they are to take part in those debates: 33% of respondents with the highest education levels do so, compared to 14% of those with the lowest levels. Students are the most likely to take part in those debates (45% compared with 13% of retired people). Total base (N=27,768) 44

49 2 Frequency of encounters with hate speech and threats on social media, and how this influences participation Respondents who follow or participate in debates on social media were asked if they have ever experienced cases where abuse, hate speech or threats were directed at journalists, bloggers, or people active on social media Three quarters of these respondents have experienced abuse, hate speech or threats directed at journalists, bloggers or people active on social media - A large majority of those who follow or participate in debates has heard, read, seen or themselves experienced cases where abuse, hate speech or threats are directed at journalists/bloggers/people active on social media (75%). Just over one in ten (14%) say they have experienced this very often, while 40% have experienced it sometimes. Just over one in five (21%) say they have rarely experienced this kind of abuse. Just under a quarter of this group of respondents say they have never heard, read, seen or experienced this (24%). Base: respondents who follow or participate in debates (N=14,992) 15 QC9 Have you ever heard, read, seen or yourself experienced cases where abuse, hate speech or threats were directed at journalists/bloggers/people active on social media? 45

50 In 27 countries, the majority of respondents have heard, read, seen or themselves experienced cases where abuse, hate speech or threats are directed at journalists, bloggers, or people active on social media. Respondents in Denmark (92%), Sweden and the Netherlands (both 90%) are the most likely to say this. At the opposite end of the scale, respondents in Bulgaria (38%), Greece (61%) and Cyprus (63%) are the least likely to report this experience. Respondents in Denmark (35%), the Netherlands (33%) and Sweden (32%) are the most likely to say they have very often heard, read, seen or experienced such cases. In most countries, however, respondents are most likely to say they have sometimes experienced this. Base: respondents who follow or participate in debates (N=14,992) The socio-demographic analysis highlights the following: Respondents under the age of 25 are more likely than those aged 55 or over to have heard, read, seen or themselves experienced such cases (79% vs. 71%), and particularly to have done so very often (22% vs. 10%). Respondents with the highest education levels are the most likely to have heard, read, seen or themselves experienced such cases in total (77% compared with 62% of those who finished their education at or before the age of 15) or to have done so very often (15% vs. 10%). Students are the most likely to have experienced such cases on social media (82%), and house persons the least likely to have done so (68%). Students (21%) are also more likely than house persons and retired people (both 11%) to have heard, read, seen or experienced such cases very often. 46

51 Base: respondents who follow or participate in debates (N=14,992) 47

52 - Half of respondents say such cases do not make them hesitate to engage in such debates - Respondents who have heard, read, seen or experienced cases of hate speech or threats on social media were then asked if such cases make them hesitate to engage in such debates 16. Half (50%) say they do not, while 48% say that they do. QC10 Do such cases make you hesitate to engage in such debates? (% - EU) Don't know 2 Total 'Yes' 48 Total 'No' 50 Base: respondents who have heard, read, seen or experienced cases of hate speech or threats on social media (N=11,176) In 12 countries, the majority of respondents agree such cases make them hesitate to engage in such debates. Nearly six in ten in Estonia, Malta (both 59%), Ireland and Luxembourg (both 57%) say such cases make them hesitate to engage in such debates. In fact, more than one quarter of respondents in Estonia (30%) and Malta (29%) definitely agree. At the other end of the scale, respondents in Slovenia, Greece (both 34%), Portugal and Lithuania (both 35%) are the least likely to share this opinion. Base: respondents who have heard, read, seen or experienced cases of hate speech or threats on social media (N=11,176) 16 QC10 Do such cases make you hesitate to engage in such debates? 48

53 The socio-demographic analysis reveals women are more likely to agree such cases make them hesitate to engage in such debates, compared to men (52% vs 46%). In addition, managers (52%) are the most likely to agree that such cases make them hesitate to engage in such debates, particularly compared to house persons (44%). Base: respondents who have heard, read, seen or experienced cases of hate speech or threats on social media (N=11,176) 49

54 CONCLUSION The results of this survey paint a mixed picture of media pluralism and freedom across the European Union. On the positive side, the majority of respondents think their national media provide a diversity of views and opinions. Furthermore, the majority in each Member State think this is the case. Most respondents also think the level of diversity is either the same as, or more than the level of five years ago. A small majority agree national media provide trustworthy information. However, in spite of the diversity of the media, the majority of respondents say neither their national or their public service media are free and independent. Furthermore, almost three in ten think their national media are less free and independent than they were five years ago. Media independence and trust in the information provided by the media often go hand in hand. In many countries, when a high proportion of respondents think their national media are free from political and commercial pressures, there are also high proportions of respondents who think the media provide trustworthy information. For example, this is the case in Finland, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands. The reverse is also true. In France, Greece, and Spain, for instance, respondents are much less likely to think their national media are free from political and commercial pressures, and they are much less likely to consider the national media provide trustworthy information. While all Member States have a body to regulate audiovisual media, just over one in five know their country s media regulator. Furthermore, only a minority believe their media regulator is free and independent from political, governmental or commercial pressures. Just over half of respondents follow debates on social media by reading articles on the Internet, or through blogs or other social media. Less than three in ten actively participate in them by posting comments and so on. For those who do participate, it is more likely to be an occasional rather than a regular occurrence. Amongst those who at least sometimes follow or participate in such debates, there is widespread experience of hate speech, threats or abuse directed against journalists, bloggers or people active on social media. Three-quarters say they have ever experienced this kind of behaviour, and more than one in ten say they often experience it. For almost half, these experiences make them hesitant to engage in online debates. These results highlight that, in the eyes of Europeans, there is still considerable work to be done in ensuring the independence of national media a vital cornerstone of a democratic EU. The widespread experience of hate speech, abuse and threats in online spaces also needs to be addressed to ensure all citizens feel free to safely express themselves in the online sphere. 50